Lamma Island: Escape Hong Kong’s Urban Core

While the city life is what Hong Kong is really known for (it has the highest density of sky scrapers in the world), 80% of the country is actually covered in vegetation. So, if your time in the urban jungle makes you want to go hug a tree, you should explore Lamma Island.

After Hong Kong Island and Lantau Island, Lamma Island is the third largest island in Hong Kong. At 13 square km and with 6,000 local residents, its a popular place for visitors to take a day trip.

This laid back island has beaches to chill on, seafood to gorge on, and hiking trails to explore.

Getting to Lamma Island

Lamma Island is 3km off of Hong Kong Island. Grab a ferry either from Central Pier 4 on Hong Kong Island or from Aberdeen on the south side to either Yung Shue Wan or Sok Kwu Wan. The journey is 30 minutes to Yung Shue Wan and 30-40 minutes to Sok Kwu Wan. Ferries run every 20-30 minutes. Check out the ferry timetables here.

I recommend taking the ferry to Yung Shue Wan and following the itinerary below to fully explore the island.

Hiking Lamma Island from Yung Shue Wan to Sok Kwu Wan

There’s no cars on the island so it’s walking or biking. As a result, Lamma Island has a lot of hiking trails. The most popular one is the easy 4.8 km Family Trail connecting the main drag, Yung Shue Wan in the north, with a small fishing village, Sok Kwu Wan in the south.

Start with a drink, head to the beaches, then gorge on some seafood before heading back to the city.

1. Grab a drink in Yung Shue Wan

The main drag on Lamma Island is Yung Shue Wan, a one street village that has unpretentious restaurants, bars, and shops that couldn’t be further from the typical vibe of those found on Hong Kong Island.

Start your hike the best way possible, with a drink.

2. Relax on Hung Shing Ye Beach

The first beach you’ll come upon is Hung Shing Ye. It’s nothing too special. And the view would be pretty nice if it weren’t for the Lamma Power Station. It’s a good place to rest, but save your beach relaxation for the next beach.

3. Really relax at Lo So Shing Beach

Set off the trail, in a cove, Lo So Shing Beach is quiet and isolated most of the time (except some weekends). There’s no services there so make sure you have everything you need.

The beach is about 1/2 km from the trail. The turnoff is closer to Yung Shue Wan, just follow the signs for Lo So Shing Village.

4. Gorge on the Freshest Seafood in Sok Kwu Wan

Lamma Island has some of the freshest seafood in town. There are clusters of restaurants organized in a food court type arrangement in Sok Kwu Wan. Grab a table overlooking the water and choose something that tickles your taste buds.

At Rainbow Seafood Restaurant you can order up some stir fried prawns with chili pepper, fried crab with honey, and braised South African abalone with oyster sauce and peppers.

5. Head back to Hong Kong

Once you’ve sufficiently stuffed yourself on seafood, grab a ferry from the Sok Kwu Wan ferry back to Hong Kong